EC issues notice to Rajasthan minister for 'attending' foundation laying ceremony

Jaipur, Oct 20 (IANS) The Election Commission has issued a notice to Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Mahesh Joshi for visiting a programme to attend the foundation laying ceremony of a ropeway project to connect Garh Ganesh temple.

In the notice issued by the Returning Officer of Hawa Mahal Assembly Constituency, Joshi has been asked the reason for attending the programme, and instructed to submit his explanation. 

The 'Bhoomi Pujan' and foundation laying programme of a ropeway project here by Joshi on Thursday triggered a row after the Election Commission stopped him from attending the programme citing the Model Code of Conduct.

In the order issued by the Returning Officer, it was said that after the implementation of Model Code of Conduct, Section 144 has been implemented in the state.

During this period, politicians, sitting MLAs and ministers belonging to any political party are not allowed to participate in any programme organised by any government, semi-government, grant-aided or contracted organisation of the state or Central governmen.

Any person doing this comes under the ambit of violation of the code of conduct issued by the Election Commission.

A large number of people of Hawa Mahal assembly constituency gathered below the Garh Ganesh temple to attend the programme. 

As soon as the Election Commission got information, the officials of the Commission arrived and stopped Minister Mahesh Joshi from laying the foundation stone citing the code of conduct. 

The Election Commission officials also removed the foundation stone plaque with the name of the minister written on it.